pmaslen1961

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I can't believe I am now 2 years and 9 months into my new life. I did have a bit of a rebound weight gain, but am back on track with my exercise and diet and have already lost 3 of the 13 pounds I had gained. I recently attended the Obesity Help forum held in Fort Lauderdale and what an amazing experience. Dr. Gantz was wonderfully inspiring as were all the other speakers. If you get the chance to attend one of these meetings, I would definitely recommend it. Up until now I have mostly been a lurker on this site, but now I would like to truly help give back and help others out there who might be lurker or actively participating in this site. I have 2 sisters who have had this surgery and my daughter is also considering it. This surgery has given me back a life that I never dreamed possible - not only can it wear clothes from any store I choose, but I look good, my confidence has soared and now I am in charge of my life, not the food that used to control everything.

I will definitely be posting more frequently and will start to be more active on the boards. Thank you all for your sharing your experiences and a special thank you to my sisters Linda and Patty who are a great source of strength for me. I am so proud of them both as they have had great success with this surgery and I am sure they will continue to.

It's been a year since my surgery and I still cannot believe how incredible this experience has been. I currently weigh 139 pounds, that's a loss of 115 pounds. Never in my life would I have believed this was possible. I had my one year follow up appointment at the WISH Center earlier this week and everyone was ecstatic. I am so thankful for this surgery and the positive changes it has brought about in my life.

Just wanted to update on my weight loss, I'm down to 154 pounds that's 100 pounds lost. Everything is still going great. I've increased my exercise routine to 4-5 times per week. My work out consists of approximately 30 - 45 minutes of cario with 15-20 minutes of weight trainin/stretching exercises. I have so much more energy now, it still amazes me. I am also doing so many things that I haven't done in years -- rode another roller coaster yesterday that I hadn't been on, it was great!

I can't believe it has been 5 months since the surgery!! I went back to Publix earlier this week to weigh myself and I couldn't believe it, I'm down to 172.5 - that's a total of 81.5 pounds lost. I couldn't be any happier. Went shopping tonight not looking for anything particular, but found a great sale at Penney's - I bought a suit in a size 12 Petite. That's just tooo cool!

WOO HOO, I'm down to 176!!!! I can't believe it, everyday I find something new to be thankful for. Clothing seems to be my only "problem" I'm in a 14/16 now and no one in my family is this size, so I can't borrow clothes any more. Off to the consignment shops this weekend to find a few things. I've also been bicycle riding, which I haven't done in years. Went swimming the other day and didn't just float to the top like I have in the past. This surgery has really given me so many new options.

I began this incredible journey in August, 2003. Initially, I was sure that this surgery was not for me, but after an informational seminar at the WISH Center the idea that it just might work began to sink in. At my initial consult on 9/5/03 I weighed in at 254 pounds, at my pre-op visit on 10/31/03 I weighed 242 pounds, now 4 months post-op I weigh 186 pounds. I've lurked on this and other websites and decided now it's time to help others by answering their questions and just being there to support them as best I can.